Important Dates in Canadian History By rj14gh Jun 24, 1497 John Cabot claims New World territory for England Jul 24, 1534 Jacques Cartier lands on the Gaspe Peninsula and claims the land for France Jun 18, 1812 United States declares war on Britain Dec 24, 1814 The Treaty of Ghent officially ends the war. Jul 1, 1867 Dominion of Canada comes into being Apr 17, 1982 Canada gains a new Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms.